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STEM Education News

February 16, 2012

In This Issue:


STEM Education Highlighted in President’s Budget Request

In his FY 2013 budget request, President Obama is proposing an increased investment in education, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). He elaborated on his plans for improving STEM education at the White House Science Fair last week, where he renewed his commitment to train 100,000 excellent STEM educators, and made an additional promise to produce 1 million more STEM graduates in the next ten years.

The President is requesting to increase the U.S. Department of Education’s (DoEd) overall budget by 2.5 percent, to $69.8 billion. As in the previous two years, the budget proposes consolidating 38 of DoEd’s smaller programs into 11 broader ones. Details on specific STEM education programs are discussed below.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) saw a 3.6% increase for STEM education investments in the request, which would bring its budget up to $1.2 billion. Of that amount, K-12 programs at NSF would receive $262.84 million, an increase of 7.4% over 2012. NASA’s Education budget, on the other hand, received a 26% cut, which would bring it down from $136 million in 2012 to $100 million in 2013. (NASA Education received $145 million in 2011.)

In his budget, President Obama identified three overarching priorities for improving STEM education:

  • increasing STEM literacy so that more students are motivated to pursue STEM subjects;
  • improving the quality of math and science teaching;
  • and expanding STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

Key STEM components in the FY 2013 Budget Request include:

  • $150 million for the Effective Teaching and Learning STEM program (DoEd) – which would replace the current Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) program at the DoEd. Funds would be awarded through competitive grants, rather than the current formula structure, to support professional development for STEM teachers, especially in high-need areas.
    • President Obama also proposed the Effective Teaching and Learning STEM program in his last budget, but Congress opted to retain the current MSP program at $150 million. Read this previous post to see what recommendations Triangle Coalition made for this program last year.
  • $80 million for STEM teacher training (DoEd) – through a set aside from the Effective Teachers and Leaders State Grants to support the President’s goal of preparing 100,000 effective STEM teachers over the next ten years. This program would support competitive awards to expand pathways into STEM teaching fields.
  • $190 million for a new Presidential Teaching Fellows program (DoEd) – replacing the current TEACH grants, this program would grant scholarships to talented students to attend “high-performing” teacher preparation programs and then work in high-need schools and subjects, including STEM.
  • $150 million for Investing in Innovation (i3) program (DoEd) – which prioritizes STEM, and would also host the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Education (ARPA-ED) program, a new research program for developing educational technology solutions in STEM and other high-need areas.
  • $30 million in the DoEd Fund for the Improvement of Education, combined with $30 million from NSF – for an “evidence-based grant competition” similar to the i3 program that would support and improve the use of quality, effective K-12 STEM practices within these two agencies and across the Federal Government.
  • $20 million for the NSF Widening Implementation and Demonstration of Evidence-based Reforms (WIDER) – a program that was new in FY 2012 when it received $8 million. WIDER supports the improvement of instructional practices of faculty teaching undergraduate STEM courses.

As this proposal is only a list of requests from the Administration, Congress will now begin its process of negotiating and passing a budget for FY 2013.

To read more about the President’s budget request, check out DoEd’s Budget Summary, its STEM Education Summary, or NSF’s STEM Education Summary.

 

National Medals for Achievement in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation

The National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are the highest honors the President bestows in science, technology, and innovation. Nominations for these prestigious awards are being accepted now through March 31, 2012.

National Medal of Science

The National Medal of Science, established in 1959, is the Nation’s highest honor for American scientists and engineers.  The Medal is awarded to individuals deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding cumulative contributions to knowledge in the chemical, physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, behavioral, or social sciences, in combination with exemplary service to the Nation. It is administered by the National Science Foundation and, to date, has been awarded to over 450 individuals.

Nominations must include a nomination form and three letters of support and must be received via the National Science Foundation’s FastLane system.  For more information, please visit http://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/medal.jsp.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation, first awarded in 1985, is the Nation’s highest honor for technological achievement and innovation. The Medal is awarded to individuals, teams, companies, or divisions for their outstanding contributions  to the Nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technology products, processes, and concepts; technological innovation; and development of the Nation’s technological workforce.

Nominations must include a nomination form and six letters of support and should be submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at nmti@uspto.gov.  For more information, please visit http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/guidelines.jsp

 

BOSE Offers a Webinar on NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education

Last July, the National Research Council (NRC) released A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. The framework describes key concepts and practices for all students to master in science education.  The framework will serve as the foundation for the next generation science education standards that are currently being developed. It is also designed to aid curriculum and assessment designers, educators, and others who work in K-12 science education.

On February 21, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (ET), the Board on Science Education (BOSE) will host a webinar – Building Understanding Among New and Current Teachers – to explore the framework and how it can be integrated by new and current science teachers.

Presenters include Heidi Schweingruber, BOSE Deputy Director at NRC, and Framework committee members Brian Reiser of Northwestern University and Deb Smith of Penn State University. Register for this free webinar here.

 

What Works Clearinghouse Releases Intervention Reports on Science Education

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) is now conducting reviews of research on interventions designed to improve the science achievement of K–12 students.

A review team of three science experts, Dr. Steve Schnieider, Dr. Andrei Streke, and Dr. Gerald Wheeler, are working to identify effective research-based interventions that can help educators make important decisions about curricula, supplemental products, and classroom methods. The WWC believes that using the right instructional strategies and programs can make the learning process an exciting time of discovery, empowering students to be scientifically literate citizens.

By evaluating research on curricula and instructional strategies designed to improve K-12 science achievement, the WWC will provide educators with insight on these important questions:

  • Which interventions are effective in increasing students’ learning of science content, processes, and skills?
  • Are some interventions more effective than others for certain types of students, particularly students who are members of traditionally underserved populations in science education?

WWC released two reports this week on interventions for science education:

WWC anticipates additional intervention reports on science education being released in the future.  Established in 2002 by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the WWC provides educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education. To learn more, go to whatworks.ed.gov.

 

Member in the Spotlight:

President Obama Greets Engineering Deans and Announces Partnership with ASEE

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness have launched a partnership, with strong endorsement from President Obama, to measure, evaluate, and celebrate excellence in retention, graduation, and diversity in engineering education. The effort is intended to further the Jobs Council’s goal of increasing engineering graduates by at least a 10 percent over the next decade. A “Seal of Excellence” will reward engineering colleges that produce more graduates and provide an incentive to others.

Obama greeted a roomful of engineering deans on February 8 with a pledge to “use the bully pulpit to emphasize how important your work is” and an assurance that “everyone in this administration is four-square behind you.” He spoke at a reception in the Old Executive Office Building for the Engineering Deans Council and leaders in the “10,000 engineers” initiative launched by the Jobs Council. Obama described the effort as one of figuring out “how to help you do more good work all across the country” and finding the best practices in engineering education. The reception came a day after release of a series of recommendations by the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology (PCAST) to strengthen activity- and discovery-based undergraduate STEM instruction, particularly in the first two years of college.

“America has always been about innovation,” as well as scientific inquiry, the president said, and has “an incredible diversity of talent out there waiting to be tapped.” He said that “for every Steve Jobs we need 10,000 others.” His pledge of support for the deans was underscored by the presence at the reception of Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, presidential science adviser John Holdren, National Science Foundation Director Subra Suresh, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, and Alan Krueger, chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Intel CEO Paul Ottelini, who is leading the 10,000 engineers effort, said the private sector has raised $20 million toward the effort and promised to hire 7,000 first- and second-year engineering undergraduates as summer interns.

Gary May, engineering dean at Georgia Tech, who has played a key role in forging ASEE’s partnership with the Jobs Council, promised that the collaboration “will be groundbreaking in its depth and in its breadth.” May said, “We have to think differently as we showcase engineering to our nation’s young.”

While Georgia Tech boasts an enviable 80 percent six-year graduation rate, May’s immediate predecessor as dean and current ASEE President, Don Giddens, pointed out that the national trend is much worse. An ASEE survey of public and private institutions showed a four-year engineers’ graduation rate of 22 percent at the public schools and a 45-percent rate at the private institutions. He said there is recognition among ASEE members that “we do need to improve how faculty teach and how students learn.”

Energy Secretary Chu encouraged the deans to concentrate on research and education that will bolster a renaissance in manufacturing, and said funding from DOE can help. He cited “huge opportunities in power electronics” as well as high-strength steels, and predicted “a golden age in materials and materials manufacturing.” Chu stated, “We will help get faculty excited.”

ASEE is an active member of Triangle Coalition. To learn more about ASEE’s great work in furthering engineering education, visit their Profile Page.

 

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Sponsors:

This week’s STEM Education News is sponsored by 3M.

3M and the 3M Foundation are committed to supporting innovative and practical initiatives which enhance the quality of life in 3M communities around the world. With the goal of helping to develop productive, educated and involved citizens, 3M targets programs that address related education, family, and community issues. Science and math education and youth development are top priorities. In addition to education, 3M also supports health and human services, the arts, and environmental efforts. 3M and the 3M Foundation donate millions to education, arts and cultural, health and human services, and environmental organizations.

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